Fourth relative in court accused of hit-and-run murder

The brother of a father-of-five who was killed in a hit-and-run crash today became the fourth relative to appear in court charged with his murder.

Jack Treeby, 43, died after being hit by a vehicle in Maidstone, Kent, on Sunday evening.

His 49-year-old brother Bill Treeby, of Queen Street, Paddock Wood, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court this morning accused of murder after being charged by Kent Police last night.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on January 18.

Yesterday, Bill Treeby's sons, Billy Treeby, 29, and 22-year-old George Treeby were remanded in custody after also being charged with murder.

In addition, the men each face a charge of attempting to murder the victim's brother, Gary Treeby, who suffered gunshot wounds during the incident and remains stable in hospital.

The brothers' court appearances came after their mother, Charity Treeby, 50, was remanded in custody on Thursday accused of murder in relation to the same incident.

Charity Treeby, Billy Treeby and George Treeby, all also of Queen Street, Paddock Wood, will appear at a preliminary hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on the same date.

Officers were called to Quarry Road in Maidstone after reports that two men had been hit by a vehicle and gunshots were heard in the area.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Treeby died of multiple head and chest injuries.

A third man was treated at the scene for minor injuries after being hit by a vehicle.

A Ford Mondeo was set on fire at the scene and was removed for forensic examination.

A second vehicle, a Range Rover, was found burnt out in Tong Lane, Lamberhurst, on Tuesday night and has also been recovered for forensic analysis following a public appeal for help in tracing it.

Jack Treeby's wife, Karen, from Rainham, Kent, paid tribute to her husband following his death.

She said: "Jack was a loving, caring father and husband who worshipped his wife and children.

"He did not deserve what happened to him. I feel like my heart has been ripped open.

"We have been robbed of a wonderful, caring, loving man who will live in our hearts forever."